SUMMARY

The Bafanji tribe is located in the North West province of Cameroon. The Bafanji have their own language, which is spoken by approximately 17 000 people. During colonial times, the small tribes in the country were clamped together to create artificial groups; a practice that laid the foundation for future conflicts.

The Bafanji tribe is predominantly Christian, and does not have any specific links to other actors. The small size of the Bafanji tribe means that the information that is available is rather limited.

The historical power structure within the Bafanji, as well as in other Cameroonian tribes, is based on the leadership of a Fon. A Fon can roughly be compared to a chieftain or king, and these individuals ruled the tribes in the period of time prior to the colonization of Cameroon. During colonial rule this system was repressed and replaced by different power structures depending on the colonizing power. When Cameroon gained independence these traditional power structures were once again implemented. This was however subject to change once again, as a more democratic form of governance was implemented. The increase in democratic activity and the establishment of new districts and local government head quarters eroded the formal power of the traditional Fon rulers even more. The Fon rulers do however possess symbolic power, and they do still have a certain influence over their tribes.

The Bafanji have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP-organised violence.